pestering 1 of 3

noun

as in harassment
the act of making unwelcome intrusions upon another the endless pestering finally drove me to study at the library

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pestering

2 of 3

adjective

as in teasing

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

pestering

3 of 3

verb

present participle of pester
as in bothering
to thrust oneself upon (another) without invitation one resident pestered the condo board about every little thing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pestering
Noun
There were almost no visible signs of this pestering affliction, which interfered with the rabbi’s sleep and therefore with his mental competence and his negotiation of daytime duties and professional matters. — Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
In the clip shared on social media, the bird appears poised to go after a second player before veering off at the last moment, then continues pestering several others on the field until the referee is forced to pause the game. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026 Bonner brought the bull market with him to CSUF, bringing his pressing, pestering and passionate style of play to a fanbase starved for success. — Brian Robin, Oc Register, 8 June 2026 The character, Günter Van Ellis (Ivan Sherry), is seen pestering Oh Father (Daveed Diggs) and Homelander at the White House. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026 Fudd played some solid defense early with a quick steal and spent some time pestering Clark. — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 May 2026 The pal had a place in the beach town for quite some time and had long been pestering the former TAP Air pilot to stop by and see the area’s unparallelled beauty and tranquility for himself. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 1 May 2026 Tiny eye-biting flies are swarming all over the San Gabriel Valley and pestering residents. — Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026 In a game where the Stars smashed the Oilers, Hryckowian was pestering Edmonton players all night en route to drawing four penalties. — R.j. Coyle, Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 2026 But this is now a 20-game stint of pestering Knicks defense — with no example better than during Sunday’s 25-point takedown of the San Antonio Spurs. — Fred Katz, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pestering
  1. harassment
  2. teasing
  3. bothering
  4. naughty
  5. riling
  6. troublemaking
  7. crafty
Noun
  • Per a source familiar with Wednesday’s meeting, the WNBA remains invested in maintaining the safety and well-being of players and addressing online harassment whenever possible.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The harassment from teammates began after that, per the lawsuit, and included exclusion from team meetings, refusal to acknowledge her presence, laughing at her and threatening her only friend not to hang out with her.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of harassment
Adjective
  • The thickset Armand Assante was a phlegmatic Odysseus, but Greta Scacchi, as Penelope—who has so little to say in the poem—became the physical embodiment of anger, and Isabella Rossellini was a teasing Athena.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026
  • The tiny humans sometimes linger in the blank space of your mind, staring back at you in a teasing way.
    — Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
Definition of teasing
Verb
  • Once your child starts spilling the beans about what’s bothering them, be understanding.
    — Jenna Autuori-Dedic, Parents, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Hip still bothering Springs Springs lasted just four innings after issuing a season-high five walks, throwing 86 pitches — only 51% of them strikes — and gave up his 28th home run of the season, the most of any pitcher in the league.
    — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of bothering
Adjective
  • When Martín is kidnapped by a monster, Cleo ventures into the jungle to rescue him, aided by an elderly witch and a naughty anteater.
    — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 9 July 2026
  • People would hang from windows, encouraging you to do naughty things, and my thumb has never been sorer from back-and-forth gestures.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of naughty
Adjective
  • The only thing more riling than a referee’s interference in a sports event is a politician’s.
    — Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026
Definition of riling
Adjective
  • In a galaxy far, far away, the troublemaking trio of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa and Han Solo could've looked a lot different.
    — Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
  • Peeves, the troublemaking ghost who wreaks havoc on young wizards, will be roaming the halls of Hogwarts when the new adaptation kicks off on Christmas Day.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026
Definition of troublemaking
Adjective
  • Washington’s young starters were tutored by Griffin, a crafty All-Star.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Let your child pick out their new backpack, pencil case, lunch box, and water bottle, then get crafty and customize them together.
    — Fiona Tapp, Parents, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of crafty

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Cite this Entry

“Pestering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pestering. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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